Persistent Cough Could Be Undiagnosed Asthma

World Asthma Day –
, Warn CARE Doctors.”

Asthma remains one of the world’s most common chronic non-communicable diseases, affecting over 260 million people globally and causing more than 450,000 deaths annually worldwide, most of which are preventable, according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). India carries one of the world’s highest asthma burdens, with an estimated 34.3 million people living with the condition, according to Global Burden of Disease estimates.

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World Asthma Day (5th May)

Persistent Cough Could Be Undiagnosed Asthma, Warn CARE Doctors

Doctors warn persistent cough is often overlooked as a key symptom of asthma
Indoor air pollution now emerging as a major trigger for respiratory flare-ups
Early diagnosis and regular inhaler use can prevent severe asthma attacks and deaths

Hyderabad, May 4: A cough lasting more than two to three weeks, especially if it worsens at night or early morning, along with intermittent breathlessness or chest tightness, is often dismissed as a routine cold, allergy, or seasonal infection. However, doctors at CARE Hospitals warn that these symptoms may actually indicate undiagnosed asthma.

Speaking on the occasion of World Asthma Day 2026, doctors noted a steady rise in asthma and other respiratory illnesses, driven by worsening air pollution, construction dust, vehicular emissions, weather fluctuations, and growing indoor air pollution exposure.

This year’s World Asthma Day theme, “Access to Anti-Inflammatory Inhalers for Everyone with Asthma – Still an Urgent Need,” reinforces that every person with asthma, including most pre-school children, should have access to inhaled corticosteroids, which significantly reduce asthma attacks and prevent avoidable deaths.

Asthma remains one of the world’s most common chronic non-communicable diseases, affecting over 260 million people globally and causing more than 450,000 deaths annually worldwide, most of which are preventable, according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). India carries one of the world’s highest asthma burdens, with an estimated 34.3 million people living with the condition, according to Global Burden of Disease estimates.

Dr. Sudhir Prasad, Senior Pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals, Malakpet, said,
““Asthma attacks cause significant distress not just to patients, but also to their families. They can disrupt schooling, careers, sleep, and daily functioning, and in severe cases, can lead to emergency hospitalisation or even death. Yet many of these complications are entirely preventable with timely diagnosis and appropriate inhaler therapy.””

Explaining the disease process, he added, “Asthma attacks occur when the airways narrow due to tightening of airway muscles, swelling caused by inflammation, and excess mucus blocking the breathing passages. This reduces airflow into the lungs and compromises oxygen delivery to the body. That is why asthma symptoms should never be ignored.”

He further noted that chronic cough is often an overlooked asthma presentation. “Many people believe asthma always presents with severe breathlessness. In reality, persistent cough, especially night-time cough, may be the only symptom in some patients. We diagnose asthma in many individuals who initially present only with chronic cough.”

Highlighting the growing role of indoor air pollution, he said, “Prolonged AC use, poor ventilation, dust accumulation, fungal growth, pet hair, and indoor allergens are increasingly contributing to asthma flare-ups. In some cases, indoor air pollution is proving to be more harmful than outdoor pollution.”

Dr. Syed Abdul Aleem, Senior Pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, said, “One of the biggest reasons for preventable asthma emergencies is poor adherence to inhaler therapy. Many patients stop using inhalers once symptoms improve, assuming the disease has resolved. But asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that requires sustained long-term control. Discontinuing inhalers midway significantly increases the risk of severe asthma attacks.”

According to doctors, asthma symptoms typically worsen during summer and dust-heavy months, as well as during seasonal and monsoon transitions, when airborne allergens, humidity changes, and respiratory infections increase.

When to Seek Asthma Screening

Doctors advise immediate evaluation if an individual experiences:
Cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks
Night-time or early morning cough
Wheezing or whistling while breathing
Chest tightness
Breathlessness during exercise or while climbing stairs
Recurrent bronchitis or chest infections

Warning Signs in Children

Parents should seek evaluation if children have:
Cough or breathlessness after playing
Frequent wheezing episodes
Persistent cough after viral infections
Family history of asthma or allergies

Precautions During Summer

Doctors recommend:
Wearing masks in dusty areas
Keeping homes dust-free
Cleaning AC filters regularly
Staying adequately hydrated
Avoiding smoke, incense sticks, and aerosol sprays
Continuing prescribed inhalers regularly

Doctors concluded by stressing that asthma is highly manageable when diagnosed early. “If identified early and treated appropriately, asthma can be effectively controlled and patients can lead completely normal lives. But neglecting symptoms or delaying treatment can lead to repeated emergencies, lung damage, and reduced quality of life,” they said.